Villa Serrana

Villa Serrana was planned from 1946 by the architect Julio Vilamajó, his last major work, as a settlement scattered through the Lavalleja hills rather than laid out on streets, with houses placed to follow the land. Two of his buildings survive: the Ventorrillo de la Buena Vista, a stone and thatch inn with a great sloping roof, and the Mesón de las Cañas. The rest of the village grew informally around them.

What to look for

• The Ventorrillo de la Buena Vista - Vilamajó's stone and thatch inn with a sweeping roof.
• The Meson de las Canas - his second surviving building beside the lake.
• The scattered plan - houses placed to follow the land rather than on a grid.
• The hills - the rolling Lavalleja country the village sits in.

When to go

March to November is best for walking. Weekends and holidays bring visitors from Montevideo. Gravel roads are difficult after heavy rain.

Good to know

The Vilamajó buildings are in variable repair and the Ventorrillo has had long closures. Roads in are unsurfaced. Facilities are limited to a few cabins and restaurants.

Nearby

Minas is southwest, and Salto del Penitente is south.

Key facts